Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Malaria Helpline

IGNORANCE and misinformation about malaria as well as delays in seeking appropriate treatment inspired GlaxoSmithKline, a leading pharmaceutical and healthcare company, to fund an independent Malaria Helpline
0861 MOZZIE (0861 66 99 43) for local travellers or +27 861 MOZZIE for international travellers.
The launch of 0861 MOZZIE is aimed at providing information about malaria based on current local and international malaria recommendations. “It's not only tourists and visitors to the African continent who need information about malaria, it's the vast majority of travelling South Africans as well”, said Elvis Mokoena, corporate affairs manager at GSK.
Says Dr Jaco Folmer, medical director at SAA Netcare Travel Clinics: “The hotline will provide a platform to travellers from where they can get the correct information and take the necessary precautions or alternatively seek the correct medical advice when showing symptoms”, said Folmer.